Bracket for providing a pivoting joint

Abstract

A bracket and method for providing a pivoting joint to a trailer tongue where the bracket has a first surface having a plurality of first apertures therein and a second surface having a plurality of second apertures therein wherein the first surface and the second surface are connected by a 90 degree bend and wherein one or more of the plurality of first apertures are configured to receive a pivot pin therethrough and one or more of the plurality of first apertures are configured to receive a pivot position securing mechanism therethrough and where the bracket can further have a third surface having a plurality of third apertures therein wherein a second 90 degree bend integrally connects the third surface to the second surface and wherein the plurality of third apertures are spaced apart on the third surface to align with one or more of the plurality of first apertures.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A bracket for providing a pivoting joint to a trailer tongue, the bracket comprising:
 a first surface having a plurality of first apertures therein and a second surface having a plurality of second apertures therein wherein the first surface and the second surface are connected by a 90 degree bend and wherein at least one of the plurality of first apertures is configured to receive a pivot pin therethrough and at least one of the plurality of first apertures are configured to receive a pivot position securing mechanism therethrough, and a third surface having a plurality of third apertures therein wherein a second 90 degree bend integrally connects the third surface to the second surface and wherein the plurality of third apertures are spaced apart on the third surface to align with one or more of the plurality of first apertures. 
 
     
     
       2. The bracket of  claim 1  wherein in combination with a second bracket of identical construction, a marine accessory can be secured to the bracket and thus secured to the pivoting joint and wherein the marine accessory is a stair. 
     
     
       3. The bracket of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of first apertures are linearly aligned along a length of the first surface of the bracket. 
     
     
       4. A system for providing a pivoting joint to a trailer tongue to selectively reduce an overall length of the trailer tongue comprising:
 one or more brackets having a first surface having a plurality of first apertures therein and a second surface having a plurality of second apertures therein wherein the first surface and the second surface are connected by a 90 degree bend and wherein at least one of the plurality of first apertures is configured to receive a pivot pin therethrough and at least one of the plurality of first apertures is configured to receive a pivot position securing mechanism therethrough and a third surface having a plurality of third apertures therein wherein a second 90 degree bend integrally connects the third surface to the second surface and wherein the plurality of third apertures are spaced apart on the third surface to align with one or more of the plurality of first apertures; and 
 a coupling component for securing to a first section of trailer tongue and wherein the one or more brackets pivotally secure the first section of the trailer tongue to a second section of trailer tongue and wherein the coupling component has one or more apertures for aligning with one or more of the first apertures of the one or more brackets. 
 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 4  wherein a marine accessory can be secured to the second surface of the bracket and thus secured to the pivoting joint and wherein the marine accessory is a stair. 
     
     
       6. A method for providing a pivoting joint to a trailer tongue to selectively reduce an overall length of the trailer tongue comprising:
 providing at least one brackets having a first surface having a plurality of first apertures therein and a second surface having a plurality of second apertures therein wherein the first surface and the second surface are connected by a 90 degree bend and wherein one or more of the plurality of first apertures are configured to receive a pivot pin therethrough and one or more of the plurality of first apertures are configured to receive a pivot position securing mechanism therethrough and a third surface having a plurality of third apertures therein wherein a second 90 degree bend integrally connects the third surface to the second surface and wherein the plurality of third apertures are spaced apart on the third surface to align with one or more of the plurality of first apertures; and 
 providing at least one coupling component for securing to a first section of trailer tongue and wherein the at least one brackets pivotally secure the first section of the trailer tongue to a second section of trailer tongue and wherein the at least one coupling component has one or more apertures for aligning with one or more of the first apertures of the bracket. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6  wherein the method further comprises modifying a trailer tongue by separating the tongue into two sections for insertion of the pivoting joint therebetween. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 6  wherein at least one bracked further comprises two brackets and the at least one coupling further comprises two coupling components for providing the pivoting joint to the trailer tongue. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8  and further comprising:
 separating the tongue into two sections; 
 installing one of the two brackets on a top surface of a first section of the trailer tongue and the second of the two brackets on a bottom surface of the first section of the trailer tongue; 
 installing one of the two coupling components on a top surface of a second section of the trailer tongue and the second of the two coupling components on a bottom surface of the second section of the trailer tongue; and 
 connecting at least one of the two brackets to at least one of the two coupling components with a pivot pin.